Gedling borough schoolchildren will be among thousands across Notts to benefit from free school meals during the Easter break.
The Nottinghamshire County Council run-scheme will again be delivered using money from the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF), following the Chancellor’s announcement in the Spring Budget that he is doubling HSF investment to £1bn.
Parents in Nottinghamshire can find out if their child is eligible for free school meals here www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals, with the vouchers distributed to youngsters by their schools.
Chairman of the county council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, Councillor Tracey Taylor, said: “I’m glad that we will be able to offer free school meals to low-income household pupils over the Easter school holiday.
“Giving targeted help to this specific set of pupils is even more critical as we continue to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We understand the pressure people are facing from the cost of living, and I hope the families of the thousands of eligible youngsters will now feel more at ease this Easter.”
But Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Arnold North, Michael Payne voiced concerns about how the scheme had been managed in the run up to launch.
He said: “A number of residents contacted me regarding concerns about Nottinghamshire County Council stopping Free School Meals Vouchers for eligible children over the coming 2022 Easter school holidays.
“Disappointingly the County Council’s website had inaccurate and out of date information on it about this Easter holidays programme right until Tuesday this week, with the school holidays only a few days away.
“I submitted my formal question on Monday and asked it at our Full County Council meeting yesterday at County Hall.
“I’m pleased that my question prompted an immediate update and correction to the County Councils website, as well as wider check to correct other out of date and inaccurate information on important initiatives and issues.
“I also welcome the commitment that Free School Meal Vouchers for all eligible free school meal (FSM) pupils will now continue throughout this 2022 Easter school holidays.”
Councillor Payne added: “I also called on Conservative councillors in charge at Nottinghamshire County Council to support my call for auto-enrolment of free school meals for eligible children, instead of the responsibility currently being on parents. I’m pleased the Chairman of the Children & Young People’s Committee supported this principle and I’ll continue to press for this much-needed change from the Government.”
